These 9 remastered tracks recap the career of a top jazz tenor, who died in 2008. From a big band version of "Wade in the Water" to an incendiary version of "Cherokee" and two hard-swinging duels with Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis ("Tickle Toe" and "Straight, No Chaser"), the man called "The Little Giant" by his peers fully demonstrates his musical stature. This well-rounded portrait is capped by Griffin's original composition "63rd Street Theme" and a lyrical version of "Autumn Leaves" from 1978.

"The Best of Johnny Griffin shall certainly not disappoint those who relish the thought of being blown away by some winged, fire-breathing dragon flexing his chops and loving every minute of the Sirocco-like storm it wreaks."—Jazz Times